Monstrumologist

Peach’s Picks Rating


Title:
Monstrumologist

Author:
Rick Yancey

Illustrator:
Lucy Ruth Cummins is book designer
The book includes many scientific-like drawings

ISBN:
978-1-4169-8448-1

Publisher:
New York: Simon & Schuster - BFYR

Copyright:
2009

Length:
454 pages

Plot Summary:
The journals of Will Henry, an orphan living during the 1800s in a New England town, reveal the story of his life and the horrors he witnesses working for Dr. Pellinore Warthrop, his father’s former employer. Dr. Warthrop is a monstrumologist, one who “stud[ies] the life forms generally malevolent to humans and not recognized by science as actual organisms . . . .” In other words, he is a monster hunter. Will witnesses his parents’ tragic and horrific deaths directly related to Will’s father’s work with Dr. Warthrop. Will turns to the monster hunter for shelter. Dr. Warthrop takes him on and Will resumes his father’s work. Will and the doctor develop a father-son like relationship that is both tender and distant; with Will striving to live up to his father’s devotion to the doctor and his desire to please Dr. Warthrop. The doctor, Will, and, townspeople find themselves threatened by Anthropophagi; horrible and strong, they have no heads and powerful shark-like teeth in their abdomens. The doctor learns of the shockingly horrible connection his own father has with these creatures.

Critical Evaluation:
Monstrumologist is a fascinating work of paranormal horror and mystery and an adventure. This book is both clever and gruesome. It is much, much too long. Only the most intrepid reader will finish it. If they do, they are rewarded with a terrific story that wraps up well and a sense of accomplishment. Keep reading - do not put it down for any length of time because the horror and mystery will be lost. The author makes clever use of prologue and epilogue addressing the reader in first person. This device makes the book seem as though the author conducted research and is recounting a little known and secretive scientific experiment conducted in the 1800s. Though loads of fun for those who like gruesome paranormal/horror with a mystery and red herrings, it is much too long and becomes bogged down in the middle. Scientific drawings, sprinkled throughout enhance the journal-like feel. The chapters are quite long making it difficult to find a logical pausing point while reading. Each chapter has a deliciously titillating title. For example; Chapter 9 is titled “There Is Something I Should Show You.. The book is divided into three sections referred to as folios. They also have descriptive titillating titles: “Progeny,” “Residua,” and “Slaughter”. Monstrumologist is reminiscent of the Last Apprentice series by Joseph Delaney, but for an older audience.

Reader’s Annotation:
Orphaned Will Henry assumes his dead father’s job working for a monster hunter. The book is filled with dark scenes and gothic horror, including a man kept alive even though maggots are breeding on him.

Author Information:
Originally from Florida
He always knew he wanted to be a writer and began writing when he was in 5th grade
First book he remembers reading for pleasure is The Sword of Shanara by Terry Brooks; this book piqued his interest in science fiction and fantasy
Enjoys reading Sherlock Holmes mysteries
Attended Roosevelt University in Chicago where he received a degree in English
Other jobs include: working as a typesetter, a manger of a convenience store, newspaper critic, teaching, theater work, working at the Internal Revenue Service
Lives in Florida with wife and three sons
He says the favorite book he has ever written is the one he just finished writing
In his free time he enjoys reading, being with his family, doing puzzles, and traveling

Genre:
Paranormal / supernatural

Curriculum Ties:
Use in literature classes and creative writing classes.

Booktalking Ideas:
Go with Will Henry to visit the underground catacombs of the hidden man-eating Anthropophagi, but watch each other’s backs so you can return to safety avoiding a horrible death.

The definition of Anthropophagi is a man-eater or cannibal. It is not a word created by the author Rick Yancey. The word is used throughout history in the works of Shakespeare, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Herodotus. You decide if you need to watch out for Anthropophagi at night in a graveyard.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
High school

Additional Books by Author:
Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp
Alfred Kropp: The Seal of Solomon
Alfred Kropp: The Thirteenth Skull
Confessions of a Tax Collector
A Burning in Homeland

Challenge Issues:
Cruelty, graphic horror scenes
Deal with challenge by having a challenge policy in place, selection policy in place (ALA policies). Meet with library administration if necessary. Provide positive review(s) from professional publications.

Why this work is included in Peach’s Picks:
It is included in Jen Hubert’s blog, Reading Rants, and is included on her 2009 Top Ten list (http://www.readingrants.org/category/yearly-top-ten-lists/). It also received a starred review in Booklist. Four peaches awarded because the concept is unique, but the book is too long.

Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Monstrumologist-Rick-Yancey/dp/1416984488/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272658592&sr=1-1

References:
Yancey. R. (2010). “Books for teens.” RICKYANCEY.COM. Retrieved April 24, 2010, from http://www.rickyancey.com/youth/about.html

Yancey. R. (2010). “Book report info.” RICKYANCEY.COM. Retrieved April 24, 2010, from http://www.rickyancey.com/youth/brinfo.html